CAESIONIDAE Pterocaesio tile, 14.9 cm SL (photo by Seishi Kimura) Pterocaesio tile (Cuvier, 1830) Darkbanded Fusilier D XI-XII, 20-21; A III, 13; P1 20-24; LLp 69-74. Body fusiform, elongate, and compressed. Scales above lateral line to origin of dorsal fin 7 or 8. Colors: scales above lateral line bluish green in their center and black on their margins, giving the appearance of a checkered pattern; lateral line covered for most of its length by a black stripe about 1 scale wide; a brilliant light blue zone below black stripe, usually covering middle 3rd of body, but sometimes restricted to anterior part of body; lower 3rd of body white to pinkish; pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins white to pinkish; axil and upper base of pectoral fins black; dorsal fin light bluish green to pinkish; caudal fin with a black streak within each lobe, the upper streak continuous with lateral stripe. Size: maximum size about 30 cm. Distribution: widespread Indo- West Pacific. Remarks: ranges widely around coral reefs. Feeds on zooplankton in midwater aggregations. Moderately important in fisheries. Caught by drive-in net, gill net, traps, and hook and line. Marketed. (Yukio Iwatsuki)